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thinking about heating my water with solar - any tips or good resources?
Been looking into ways to cut down on electricity bills lately, and solar water heating caught my eye. Seems like a pretty smart move, especially since we get plenty of sunshine around here. But honestly, I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the info online - some sites make it sound super simple, others like rocket science, lol.
If anyone here's already done this, I'd love to hear your experiences. Did you DIY it or hire someone? Any websites or videos you found particularly helpful? I'm not exactly Mr. Handyman but can follow instructions decently enough (usually...). Also, are there common pitfalls or rookie mistakes I should watch out for?
Just trying to avoid turning this into one of those "seemed like a good idea at the time" projects that ends up costing double what I planned, you know?
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Solar water heating can definitely save money long-term, but honestly, DIY might not be the best route if you're not super handy. I've seen a few setups where folks underestimated insulation or pipe placement, and ended up losing efficiency or dealing with leaks. Hiring a pro might cost more upfront, but it usually pays off in reliability and performance. Just something to consider before diving in...
"Hiring a pro might cost more upfront, but it usually pays off in reliability and performance."
Yeah, totally agree with this. Have you looked into local rebates or incentives? Sometimes hiring a pro qualifies you for extra savings that offset the initial cost... worth checking out maybe?
Rebates are definitely worth checking, but I wouldn’t let the incentive drive the system size. Before comparing installers, ask for the projected annual heat output and compare it with your household’s actual hot-water use, ideally from utility bills or the existing heater’s energy consumption.
An oversized system can cost more while producing excess heat you don’t use, and an undersized one may leave the backup heater doing most of the work. The estimate should also show assumptions for shading, roof orientation, seasonal output, storage capacity, and backup heating. A qualified installer should be able to explain those numbers plainly, not just quote the rebate amount.
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